San Francisco has a wealth of entertainment for visitors with many varied and inspirational venues. The film and cinema community is well known and many of the latest movies can be seen at the eight screen AMC Kabuki (4153463243) in the Japan Center which also plays host to the San Francisco International Film Festival.
Foreign films often see their first run at the Opera Plaza (4152674893). From September to December the main season of the San Francisco Opera Association is in full swing with a programme of performances at the Louise M Davies Symphony Hall (201 Van Ness Avenue, 4158646000).
The San Francisco Ballet calendar season is from February to April with world class performances (455 Franklin Street, 4158615600). For some inspirational voices listen to the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (1800 Market Street, 4158653650) with wonderful singing recitals.
San Francisco is a great place to hear jazz, rock and the blues in some excellent clubs around the city. One of the best is Slims in the SoMa District (333 11th Street, 4152550333). Psychedelic rock saw its debut in the 1960s at the legendary Fillmore Auditorium (1085 Geary at Fillmore, 4153466000).
The venue has seen The Who, Miles Davies and Jimmy Hendrix play to crowds in the Summer of Love. Live Jazz can be heard in several venues across San Francisco. Jazz at Pearl’s is one of the best known (256 Columbus Avenue, 415 2918255) and the music is free on most occasions to those dining or drinking in the club.
Live blues can be heard in a number of bars across San Francisco. Biscuits and Blues (401 Mason Street, 4152922583) and the Boom Boom Room (1601 Fillmore St, 4156738000) are two good bars with blues. Fisherman’s Wharf is a popular place to spend an evening with many restaurants and bars. One of the best clubs on Pier 39 is Lou’s for live blues music seven days a week.
Night clubs are popular in San Francisco and the largest discotheque is Polly Esther’s with several dance floors (181 Eddy Street, 4158610707). Some of the Piano Bars are a great place to enjoy a drink and some live music. Top of the Mark (1 Nob Hill, 415 6166916) is in art deco style and at the top of the Mark Hopkins Intercontinental Hotel. Why not try an evening listening to stand up comedy at Tommy T’s Comedy House at 1655 Willow Pass Road (925 6866809).
Many people visit San Francisco for the special events through the year which provide entertainment to the city. These include the San Francisco Jazz Festival, the Chinese New Year in February and the St Patrick’s Day Parade in March. The San Francisco Blues Festival is the largest of its kind on the West Coast and held in September.
The Gay and Lesbian Freedom Parade attracts thousands of visitors to the carnival atmosphere in the city. Finally the firework displays on New Years Eve over San Francisco Bay are a sight worth seeing in this great city.
